Whole Worker Statement on Global Sickout

NOTE: THIS PRESS RELEASE WAS WRITTEN IN MARCH 2020 FOR WHOLEWORKER.ORG.

March 31, 2020

Today, Whole Foods workers across the country staged a successful sickout to demand better working conditions during this pandemic. We would like to thank all who participated and made their voices heard at this crucial moment. This is only the beginning, and we will be following this sickout with further action.

The past week has seen unprecedented worker mobilization in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, from Amazon to Instacart. We have received an outpouring of support from Whole Foods employees, news organizations, labor activists, politicians, and the general public. Essential workers in all fields need to be protected and compensated for the increasingly dangerous work that we do. We are proud to be a part of this wave of vital workplace organization.

It is disappointing to hear Whole Foods corporate dismiss our actions and our intentions in media statements. We are the team members who continue to put our lives at risk while our corporate leadership and our company spokespeople continue to work from home in safety. Any conversation with leaders or executives must begin with the acknowledgment that workers are undervalued. We do what we do out of genuine concern and love for our coworkers and our communities.

We call upon all Whole Foods team members to join our Telegram organizer chat as we coordinate our next steps. Find us at www.wholeworker.org.

In love and solidarity,

Whole Worker’s National Organizing Committee

Whole Worker is an organization of current and former Whole Foods employees that engages in labor organization and concerted activity on and off the job in the interest of improving team member working conditions.